MANSFIELD—Last Friday, over 150 volunteers from more than 25 local businesses celebrated the success of Imagination Pop-Up Park, with free games, entertainment, a beer garden, food trucks, and more.

The park was funded by a grant that Richland County Development Group received from AARP as part of their 2021 Community Challenge Grant program.

One of the ideas in the Mansfield Rising plan was to install a linear park in downtown. A linear park is a long, narrow park that often runs alongside a roadway or waterway. The group hopes that eventually, a permanent park could connect the new Imagination District with the Historic Carrousel District.

The goal of the Imagination Pop-Up Park was to demonstrate what a permanent park might look like, with trees, shrubs, and flowers will help give the area a more park-like feel.

The park is still set up along the south side of West Third Street between Mulberry Street and Bowman Avenue. It includes many interactive features such as a bike path, seating areas, lounging areas, entertainment areas, games and more.

Local businesses are hopeful that the success of the Imagination Pop-Up Park paves the way for similar projects in the future to further enhance the lives of people in Richland County.

Implementing the Imagination Pop-Up Park was a true testament to the strong bond our local businesses share and the dedication they have to making Mansfield a better place. The key partner organizations on the project include Richland Community Development Group, Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, FiELD9: architecture, City of Mansfield, Harmony House, IdeaWorks, IdeaWorks Kitchen, Little Buckeye Children’s Museum, Mankind Murals, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, Renaissance Theatre, Richland County Foundation, Richland County Regional Planning Commission.

This project could not have been accomplished without the many local volunteers who contributed to the set-up, such as Luke Beekman, Bob Bianchi, Kyle Bierly, Todd Blankenship, Fred Boll, Niall Cavanaugh, Isabelle Childs, Nick Childs, Patrick Clinage, Aurelio Diaz, Annamarie Fernyak, Carl Fernyak, Korinna Goettel, Suzanna Hammond, Laura Logan, Chris McKinniss, Jessica Ney, Justin Ocheltree, Jodie Perry, Dave Remy, Anne Rhodes, Ryan Shealy, Ryan Shreve, Amanda Stanfield, Esther Stanfield, Grace Stanfield, Malaki Stanfield, Matthew Stanfield, Mathias Stanfield, Micah Stanfield, Rhea Stanfield, Josh Steffen, Chelsie Thompson, Doug Versaw, and Jerry Wade.

Those who contributed by building pieces of the park were Abram Swanger, Renaissance Theatre IKO RCC- Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters /  Carpenters Local 735, Jason Kaufman, Renaissance Theatre, Madison High School – Andy Wigton and students, Mansfield Senior High School – Greg Morris and Students, Pioneer Career Technical Center – Jeremiah Howe, Terry Stuart, and students, Jesse & Ashley Meyer, Meyer Fabrication.

Donors of materials & supplies: Alta Florist, Bob & Bob Door, Cooper Enterprises, Culligan Water, Daniels Tree Service, Dolce Tree Service, EStep Express, Gorman-Rupp Co., IBEW – Local 688, K&A Tree Service, Kingwood Center Gardens, MTD Products, MHS Industrial Supply, Steven Au of Renaissance Theatre, Bruce Beekman, Lisa & Anthony Duckworth, City of Mansfield Parks Department,  City of Mansfield Streets Department — David Gentile, John Luedy, North End Community Improvement Collaborative, and Zoe Shook.

With the success of Imagination Pop-Up Park, its end date has been extended to October 16, 2021. For those looking to enjoy the park over the next two weeks, head to West Third Street in Mansfield, Ohio between Mulberry and Bowman Streets.